Why factory glass matters more on these cars
A windshield on an older economy car is mostly just glass. On a Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, BMW or Lexus, it is often part of the car’s electronics. Depending on the model, the windshield may include:
- Driver-assist cameras mounted behind the glass near the mirror, which read lanes, signs and traffic.
- Rain and light sensors that run the automatic wipers and headlights.
- Acoustic laminated glass with a sound-damping layer that keeps the cabin quiet.
- Heated elements to clear the glass or the wiper rest area.
- Head-up display areas made to project a clean image without a double reflection.
- Solar or infrared coatings that keep heat out of the cabin.
Replacing a windshield like that is expensive. Replacement for a regular modern car or SUV already runs $600–$1000+, and the features above push it higher. Many cars also need their cameras recalibrated after a new windshield goes in. Read more on windshield repair and ADAS cameras.
Repair avoids all of that. The windshield is never removed, so the factory seal, the camera brackets and the sensors stay exactly as they left the factory.
What one Mercedes owner saved
Randy S. brought us a chip on his Mercedes GLC Coupe. In his words: “…new windshield almost 3K — and when James was done, you could hardly tell.” That is the case for repair on a luxury car in one sentence. You keep the original glass, and the chip stops being something you notice.
Tesla windshield chip repair
Teslas have a lot of glass. The Model 3 and Model Y pair a large windshield with a glass roof, and the Model X windshield sweeps up over the front seats. More glass facing forward means more surface for freeway gravel to hit.
We repair rock chips and short cracks in Tesla windshields. The process is the same as on any car: the chip is cleaned, filled with resin under pressure, cured and polished, usually in about 30 minutes. Because the windshield stays in the car, the forward cameras behind it are never touched. Many Tesla owners book us at home or at the office, since the car does not need to go anywhere.
Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, BMW and Lexus
We repair chips on every make, and luxury owners tend to care about two things: the finish of the repair and the care taken around the car.
- Protecting the paint. Tools sit on a padded mat on the hood, never directly on the paint.
- Working around sensors. Chips near the camera housing get a close look first. If the location would affect the camera’s view, we tell you before starting.
- A clean finish. Air is drawn completely out of the break before the resin goes in, which is what keeps a repaired chip from showing a gray spot.
Shanna S. put a chip in her Audi on the 78. In her words: “I had a rock leave a nickel sized chip in my Audi windshield on the 78 freeway… he was at my house same day!”
When repair is not the right call
Some damage needs a new windshield no matter what the car is: long cracks, cracks at the edge of the glass, or breaks through both layers. We do not do replacements, so if your chip is past repair we will say so and you can take it to the dealer or a glass shop. Our repair vs. replace guide explains where the line is.
Book a repair for your Tesla or luxury car
Text a photo of the chip to 760-500-9281, or call (760) 500-9281, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. We come to you anywhere in North County, including Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar. Every repair carries a lifetime warranty and a 100% money-back guarantee that the chip will not spread. See the full rock chip repair process.
